Gutter-deep to chest-high floods sweep NCR

By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz, Philippine News Agency

NO ROAD. Intermittent heavy rains submerge Oroquieta Street in Sta. Cruz, Manila on Tuesday (July 23, 2024). Typhoon Carina enhanced the southwest monsoon in Metro Manila. (PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)

MANILA – Several major and inner roads in the National Capital Region (NCR) have gutter-deep to chest-high floodwaters due to the non-stop heavy rains brought by Typhoon Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon or “habagat” on Wednesday.

In a situation update issued at 9:35 a.m., the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said floods have been reported in the cities of Manila, Marikina, Quezon, Pasay, Taguig, and Valenzuela.

In Manila, 8 inches (gutter-deep) of floodwaters were observed along Bonifacio Drive – 25th Street, Dimasalang corner Becerra Street, Roxas Avenue – Kalaw, and España – R. Magsaysay, and 19 inches at the España – Lacson Avenue intersection and Vito Cruz to Taft Avenue.

On the other hand, flooding was reported to be 24 inches deep in España – Antipolo Street, 9 to 10 inches in España – P. Margal/Blumentritt, and 13 to 14 inches in España – M. Dela Fuente.

In Quezon City, floodwaters were reported to be chest-high (about 45 inches) in G. Araneta Ma. Clara Southbound and E. Rodriguez Araneta, and waist-high (37 inches) along the EDSA Quezon Tunnel and EDSA Oliveros Northbound.

Other flooded areas in the city are Balintawak Northbound, submerged in 26 inches of floodwaters, Quezon Avenue Biak na Bato (12 inches), EDSA Quezon Avenue (13 inches), and Victoria TM Street Northbound (8 inches).

In Pasay City, EDSA Taft Northbound and Southbound were reported to be under 19 inches of flood, and the Airport Road – Domestic Road, 13 inches.

Andrew Tramo, Roxas Boulevard EDSA Northbound Service Road, and EDSA Roxas Boulevard Heritage were reported to be under 8 inches of flood.

The Marcos Highway near SM Marikina in Marikina City was reported to be under 8 inches of water, C5 Palaw in Taguig City with waters above the knees, and McArthur Road in Valenzuela City with 13 inches.

The MMDA has allowed all buses to take EDSA to avoid flooded areas in the metropolis and to ensure the safety of their passengers.

“Naka-standby na rin ang mga sasakyan ng ahensiya para sa libreng sakay sa mga mai-stranded na commuters (All vehicles of the MMDA are also on standby to provide free rides to stranded commuters),” it said.

On Tuesday, the MMDA also announced the temporary lifting of the number coding to ease the transportation needs of the public amid the calamity.